If you already use Uber in the United States, you may be wondering whether the same app will work during your trip to South Korea.
The short answer is yes, you can use Uber in Korea. However, the service works a little differently from what many Americans are used to.
In Korea, Uber generally connects passengers with licensed local taxi drivers rather than private individuals driving their own cars. You can still enter your destination, view trip information, request a ride, and pay through the app.
Does the Uber App Work in Korea?
Yes. You can use your existing Uber app and account in Korea.
When you open the app, enter your destination and check the available ride options. In many areas, you will see Uber Taxi, which allows you to request a regular Korean taxi through the Uber app.
Uber is available in Seoul and several other Korean cities, although the number of available drivers may vary depending on your location and the time of day.
If you plan to use Uber during your trip, install the app and confirm your payment method before leaving the United States.
Is Uber in Korea the Same as Uber in the United States?
Not exactly.
In the United States, many Uber drivers use their personal vehicles. In Korea, rides requested through Uber are generally provided by licensed taxi drivers operating registered taxis.
The experience may still feel familiar because you can:
- Enter your pickup location and destination in English
- See the driver and vehicle information
- Follow the route in the app
- View an estimated fare
- Pay using a card saved in your Uber account
This can be especially helpful if you do not speak Korean because you do not have to explain your destination to the driver.
Can You Use a U.S. Credit Card?
In most cases, you can use an eligible credit card already connected to your Uber account. However, it is still a good idea to carry another card and a small amount of Korean won in case your payment does not go through.
Your credit card issuer may also charge a foreign transaction fee. Before your trip, check whether your card charges additional fees for purchases outside the United States.
For more information about cards and cash, read Do I Need Cash in Korea?
How to Request an Uber in Korea
Using Uber in Korea is similar to using it in the United States:
- Open the Uber app.
- Confirm your pickup location.
- Enter your destination.
- Review the available ride option and estimated fare.
- Request the ride.
- Check the taxi’s license plate number before getting in.
Because Korean addresses can be difficult to enter, searching for the name of a hotel, restaurant, subway station, or tourist attraction may be easier than typing the entire street address.
It is also helpful to save the Korean address or phone number of your destination. The driver may occasionally need additional information, especially when the entrance is difficult to locate.
Can You Take Uber From the Airport?
You may be able to request an Uber Taxi from major airports such as Incheon International Airport or Gimpo International Airport.
However, airports have designated taxi and pickup areas. After requesting your ride, carefully check the pickup instructions in the app and confirm the terminal number.
If the pickup location is confusing or the wait is long, using the airport’s official taxi stand can be easier. Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering an unofficial taxi ride. Follow the airport signs to an authorized taxi stand instead.
Uber or Kakao T: Which Is Better?
Kakao T is Korea’s most widely used taxi-hailing app, while Uber may feel more familiar to American travelers.
Kakao T may have more available taxis in some locations. It supports English and currently allows eligible overseas-issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB cards to be registered for taxi payments.
However, some visitors may experience difficulty with account registration or phone-number verification. Uber can be a convenient alternative because you may already have an account and payment method set up.
The best approach is to install both apps before your trip. If one app cannot find a taxi, try the other.
You can find more useful travel apps in Essential Apps You Need for a Trip to Korea
What If You Do Not Have a Korean Phone Number?
You may be able to use Uber with your existing account as long as your phone has an internet connection.
You will need mobile data or Wi-Fi to request the ride, check the driver’s location, and receive messages. A travel eSIM, international phone plan, or Korean SIM card can make this much easier.
Read Can I Use My U.S. Phone in Korea? before choosing your phone plan.
Tips for Using Uber or Taxis in Korea
- Confirm the license plate number before entering the taxi.
- Make sure your pickup pin is on the correct side of the street.
- Save your hotel’s name and address in Korean.
- Allow extra time during rush hour, late at night, and in bad weather.
- Keep a backup payment method and some Korean won.
- Wear your seat belt, including when sitting in the back seat.
- Check the app before traveling because service availability and payment options can change.
Final Answer
Yes, you can use Uber in Korea. The service usually connects you with a licensed Korean taxi, and the app can make it easier to enter your destination and pay without speaking Korean.
Uber is especially convenient for American travelers who already have the app. Still, installing Kakao T as a backup can give you more options when taxis are limited.
With both apps ready and mobile data available, getting around Korea by taxi should be relatively simple.